Pressure operated valve structure



. Dec- 15 w. H. FINLEY ET AL PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE STRUCTURE Filed March 7, 1954 Patented Dec. 15,1936 i 2,4343

2,004,848, rasssuas camp vacvs sauna Walter H. Finley and Charles 11. Hamilton, Nashville, Tenn, assignors to Finley & Eton, Inc., Nashville, Tenn, a corporation of Tennessee Application mi 7, 1934, Serial No. 114,490

3 Claims. (01. 187-139) This invention relates to improvements in fluid length. Alternatively the effective passage may valves and particularly to 'a valve adapted to be comprise any kind of channel or orifice, but it operated by fluid pressure as through the medium must have a discharge capacity less than that of of a plunger connected with the'valve and opthe pilot valve and its channels. The tube 6 may crating in a suitable cylinder, which cylinder also be connected with any source of pressure 5 may be supplied with operating fluid irom the adequate for operation. same line as that which the valve opens and While the main valve I2 is discharging, the closes or otherwise affects. This type of apps. pressure in the supply line is greatly reduced and ratus is well known, and as ordinarily constructthis reduction becomes more marked as the fluid 10 ed, the plunger, if made to seal properly against approaches the port 1. For convenience, the tube 10 the wall of the cylinder, has a tendency to seize 6 is connected to the supply line, as shown, quite or freeze aiterremaining in one position for a close to the port and, to prevent undue drop in considerable time, preventing proper operation of pressure while-the port is open, the tube is conthe valve to an open position, as by direct-action nected into the supply line in an inertia chamber of the fluid, contained in the chamber or conduit 8, which, as shown, comprises a fixed pocket 15 with which the valve is associated, on the valve.. which is freelyopen opposite the direction of flow The objects of the invention include the prothrough the supply line, being otherwise closed vision of a method and apparatus for preventing except for the entrance to the tube 6, shown as seizure oi the coacting surfaces of such plunger protected by a fine screen's. Experience has and cylinder to the end of permitting free and proven the screen to be unnecessary in most in- 20 unrestricted operation of the valve. A further stallations. The inertia of the incoming fluid di= object of this invention is the provision of novel rectly into the chamber a sets up a much higher apparatus for conveying operating fluid to such pressure therein than would be the case if the cylinder and piston, particularly from the same channel were open directly on to the port.

5 line as that served by the main valve. The plunger i0 is a packed piston which oper c A still further object of this invention is the ates in the valve body'll. It moves in one direcprovision of a valve structure which is simple and tion as a result of the force created by pressure capable of being manufactured at a reasonable in the chamber 2 and is moved in the other dicost. Other objects and advantageswiil become rectionby the reaction of the spring or other evident as the description proceeds. elastic means ii and the'fiuid' pressure through 30 The invention is described in the following the'port 1. The valve i2 is guided in the body 61 specification, illustrated by the accompanying by any suitable means, such as the encompassing drawing and its salient features included in the tube 13, and carries a washer it which is forced appended claims. against the valve seat ii to close the valve by In the drawing: I the power of the plunger ID which is transmitted 35 Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the 1 sclelythrcugh the member II. The valve i2 carstructure in one form thereof; and ries a skirt [5 which extends below the washer M Fig. 2 is a similar view of the valve oniy,'on a and at all times surrounds the valve seat i5. larger scale. 4 when the valve is about to open, the total i'orce 4 As shown, a pilot valve i is directly connected available ior opening is the static pressure at the 40 with the pressure chamber 2, although this valve port against the washer .ll. On theactual openmay be located at any other point communicating of the valve, a jet is impin against the ing with the chamber. The pilot valve may norwasher continuing to exert force tending to open many he closed by a spring 3 and operated by a the valve wider. The skirt l6 reverses the direclever 4 and float 5. The valve may be normally tion of the run-off from this jet and this-reac- 5 open or closed and operated manually, electrition-greatly increases the force operating to open cally or otherwise. The pressure chamber 2 is the valve. Without this skirt, the'discharge from connected to a source of pressure, as by a presthe jet would be radial and set up, atthe center sure tube 6, which, as shown, comprises a comof divergence, a partial vacuum permitting the paratively long tube of constant diameter, the valve to again rise and again be drawn down 50 same being relatively small. The constant dicausing a vibration which would be both destrucameter small tube (1/6?" inside e. g.) operates tive and noisy. (This action is fully set out in all principally by friction to regulate feeding of fluid standard works on hydraulics.) The skirt acto the pressure chamber and is maintained i'ree complishes an opening of the valve without vibraby the uniform rapid rate of flow throughout its tion, noise or destruction. The. annularopening 55 sure becomes static and equal in the supply line,

the tube 6 and the chamber '2. Theplunger ill has compressed the spring II to the point where the reaction of the spring balances the force of the plunger, and the valve is held closed by the total of this force. In this position, if the packing of the plunger is sufliciently tight to serve its purpose, the static friction between said packing and the walls of the valve body I! becomes excessive and much more force is needed to break this friction than can be developed by the pressure of.

the fluid under the washer ll in the port I when the pressure in chamber 2 is relieved. The stored up power of the spring, however, in this structure is made available to break such friction seizure. 'I'heoperating force, which is equal to the total force of the plunger exerted in closing, is stored up in the spring after the valve is closed. The opening of the pilot valve quickly reduces the pressure in the chamber 2 to approxirnately'zero. Thereupon the energy stored in the spring is released and raises the plunger l until the stress on the spring becomes less than the fluid pressure at the port 1 against the washerv H, whereupon the .valve, spring and plunger will all rise together as the valve opens. The valve will remain open until the pilot valve is closed and pressure is again built up in the chamber 2 by the relatively slow feeding action of the tubei. Once the pilot valve is opened, the main valve opening operation follows automatically, the period of operation being determined by the length and/ or bore of the tube 8. This period mayalso be determined by the travel or displacement of the piston.

The action of, the. spring I i in breaking the static friction of the packing is only a part of its function. While the valve is standing closed, the fluid pressure is theoretically static but practically it is constantly fluctuating. The drawing on the line in the premises or neighborhood causes a conplunger, which is riding onthe spring, will constantly rise and fall, in varying degrees, as the pressure varies and thus insure the prevention of excessive sticking of the packing and the plunger, although there is ample force in reserve tobreak the adhesion without difficulty.

While the preferred form of this inventionhas been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that various structural changes may be made which fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What we claimis:

v forming a relatively narrow e which aii'ords communication between said fluid conduit and the chamber, said chamber including a cylinder and a plunger sealingly engaging the cylinder and adapted to be actuated in one direction by the 5 fluid admitted to the chamber through said passage, a valve controlling the fluid in the conduit, and a spring operatively connecting the plunger and said latter valve, whereby upon release of 5 pressure in the pressure chamber the recoil of the spring will break the adhesion between the plungerandthe cylinder.

2. {In a valve apparatus, means adapted to contain-fluid under pressure, said. means having a -fluid discharge valve including a discharge port I and a plug for closing the port, the plug and port being so arranged that pressure in the firstnamed means may move the plug to open the port, means forming a pressure chamber and means adapted and arranged to quickly release pressure therein, the pressure-chamber-forming means including a cylinder and a plunger slidable therein and operatively connected to the valve plug to close the valve when the plunger moves in one direction in its cylinder, means to supply fluid under pressure to the chamber, at a relatively slow rate, said latter means acting in cooperation with the plunger with greater eflective force tending to close the valve-than is'exerted by said fluid under pressure in theflrst-named means tending to open the valve, so that the valve is normally maintained closed, the operating connection between the plunger and valve comprising resilient energy-storing means, whereby, upon quick release of the pressure in the chamber the released energy will cause the plunger to move in the opfluid under pressure, said valve including a part stant change in this pressure and, therefore, the I .movable to fluid releasing position, a pressure chamber and means slidable therein and yieldingly operatively connected with said valve part in a. manner to cause itto close such exit, and to subsequently move relative to said valve part without affecting the operation of said part, and

1. In a pressure operated valve structure, a sage. pressure chamber,a pilot valve arranged to release WALTER H. FINLEY. pressure in said chamber, a fluid conduit, means CHARLES H; HAMILTON.

DISQLQAIM ER Hereby disclaim the invention described and defined by each of the Lbarles H. Hamilton,

Patent dated December Nashville, Tenn. PRESSURE 15, 193e. Disby' the patentees; the assignee, Fmley &

and consenting.

of the patent except as lZO-OOIlStIIlQtlOIlS m wlnch the valve, called for by each of the port of fluid controlled by the valve.

are hereb trolled v ves.

01mm Gazette Ami 12, 1988.]

o In other words, claims 1, 2', and 3 of the patent 1 limited to said specific type of valve, 1n the class of hydrostatipally consure becomes static and equal in the supply line,

the tube 6 and the chamber '2. Theplunger ill has compressed the spring II to the point where the reaction of the spring balances the force of the plunger, and the valve is held closed by the total of this force. In this position, if the packing of the plunger is sufliciently tight to serve its purpose, the static friction between said packing and the walls of the valve body I! becomes excessive and much more force is needed to break this friction than can be developed by the pressure of.

the fluid under the washer ll in the port I when the pressure in chamber 2 is relieved. The stored up power of the spring, however, in this structure is made available to break such friction seizure. 'I'heoperating force, which is equal to the total force of the plunger exerted in closing, is stored up in the spring after the valve is closed. The opening of the pilot valve quickly reduces the pressure in the chamber 2 to approxirnately'zero. Thereupon the energy stored in the spring is released and raises the plunger l until the stress on the spring becomes less than the fluid pressure at the port 1 against the washerv H, whereupon the .valve, spring and plunger will all rise together as the valve opens. The valve will remain open until the pilot valve is closed and pressure is again built up in the chamber 2 by the relatively slow feeding action of the tubei. Once the pilot valve is opened, the main valve opening operation follows automatically, the period of operation being determined by the length and/ or bore of the tube 8. This period mayalso be determined by the travel or displacement of the piston.

The action of, the. spring I i in breaking the static friction of the packing is only a part of its function. While the valve is standing closed, the fluid pressure is theoretically static but practically it is constantly fluctuating. The drawing on the line in the premises or neighborhood causes a conplunger, which is riding onthe spring, will constantly rise and fall, in varying degrees, as the pressure varies and thus insure the prevention of excessive sticking of the packing and the plunger, although there is ample force in reserve tobreak the adhesion without difficulty.

While the preferred form of this inventionhas been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that various structural changes may be made which fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What we claimis:

v forming a relatively narrow e which aii'ords communication between said fluid conduit and the chamber, said chamber including a cylinder and a plunger sealingly engaging the cylinder and adapted to be actuated in one direction by the 5 fluid admitted to the chamber through said passage, a valve controlling the fluid in the conduit, and a spring operatively connecting the plunger and said latter valve, whereby upon release of 5 pressure in the pressure chamber the recoil of the spring will break the adhesion between the plungerandthe cylinder.

2. {In a valve apparatus, means adapted to contain-fluid under pressure, said. means having a -fluid discharge valve including a discharge port I and a plug for closing the port, the plug and port being so arranged that pressure in the firstnamed means may move the plug to open the port, means forming a pressure chamber and means adapted and arranged to quickly release pressure therein, the pressure-chamber-forming means including a cylinder and a plunger slidable therein and operatively connected to the valve plug to close the valve when the plunger moves in one direction in its cylinder, means to supply fluid under pressure to the chamber, at a relatively slow rate, said latter means acting in cooperation with the plunger with greater eflective force tending to close the valve-than is'exerted by said fluid under pressure in theflrst-named means tending to open the valve, so that the valve is normally maintained closed, the operating connection between the plunger and valve comprising resilient energy-storing means, whereby, upon quick release of the pressure in the chamber the released energy will cause the plunger to move in the opfluid under pressure, said valve including a part stant change in this pressure and, therefore, the I .movable to fluid releasing position, a pressure chamber and means slidable therein and yieldingly operatively connected with said valve part in a. manner to cause itto close such exit, and to subsequently move relative to said valve part without affecting the operation of said part, and

1. In a pressure operated valve structure, a sage. pressure chamber,a pilot valve arranged to release WALTER H. FINLEY. pressure in said chamber, a fluid conduit, means CHARLES H; HAMILTON.

DISQLQAIM ER Hereby disclaim the invention described and defined by each of the Lbarles H. Hamilton,

Patent dated December Nashville, Tenn. PRESSURE 15, 193e. Disby' the patentees; the assignee, Fmley &

and consenting.

of the patent except as lZO-OOIlStIIlQtlOIlS m wlnch the valve, called for by each of the port of fluid controlled by the valve.

are hereb trolled v ves.

01mm Gazette Ami 12, 1988.]

o In other words, claims 1, 2', and 3 of the patent 1 limited to said specific type of valve, 1n the class of hydrostatipally con- 

